South Korea president calls for military independence in wake of Trump call to cut joint drills

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1. 27d ago

   South Korea president seeks military independence after Trump cuts joint drills

   South Korea's president is pushing for greater military independence following US President Trump's decision to scale back joint military drills between the two countries. The move has raised concerns about the reliability of the US security commitment to South Korea and its ability to counter threats from North Korea. The decision to cut drills has been met with criticism from some lawmakers and experts, who argue it could embolden North Korea.

   Why it matters

   The US and South Korea have a long-standing alliance, with the US providing a security umbrella to South Korea in exchange for the country's support on various international issues. The joint military drills are a key part of this alliance, aimed at deterring North Korean aggression. The decision to cut drills has come at a time when tensions between the US and North Korea are relatively low, following a series of diplomatic overtures by Trump.

   What is confirmed

   • South Korea's president has called for military independence in the wake of Trump's call to cut joint drills.
   • The US and South Korea have scaled back their annual military drills following Trump's order.
   • Trump's decision to cut joint drills has raised concerns about the reliability of the US security commitment to South Korea.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Trump's decision to cut joint drills has been seen as a gift to North Korea's Kim Jong Un.

   What to watch next

   • The outcome of the review of US military presence in South Korea
   • The response of North Korea to the scaled-back joint drills
   • The impact on South Korea's defense strategy and budget
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. CNN — Trump has handed a gift to Kim Jong Un and deepened concerns over US reliability
   2. Reuters — Trump says North Korea's Kim has responded to his overtures
   3. politico.com — ‘The slowest negotiators ever’: How lagging South Korean investment pledges are hurting its U.S. security relationship
   4. The New York Times — Facing Quagmire in Iran, Trump Turns to a Familiar Face: North Korea’s Kim Jong-un
   5. CNBC — South Korea must brace for ‘worst-case scenario,’ President Lee says, as Trump cuts military drills
   6. The Guardian — South Korea president calls for military independence in wake of Trump call to cut joint drills
   7. MS NOW — Opinion | North Korea can't be trusted. But Trump seems to think they can.
   8. NBC News — South Korean president urges stronger independent defense after Trump orders joint military drills scaled back
   9. The Hill — Kelly on reduced joint exercises with South Korea: Trump should ‘read some history’
   10. NPR — S. Korea stresses US alliance amid confusion over Trump drill cut
   11. Forbes — Trump Is Signaling This To Kim Jong Un By Scaling Back Military Drills With South Korea: Expert
   12. Politico — Trump’s threats to Seoul may be worse than their bite
   confidence 85%